Processing composition release mechanism for film cassette comprising self-contained film processing system

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for controlling the release of processing composition in a film cassette comprising a roll of film and containing a film processing system. A container of film processing composition within the cassette is initially sealed by a tear strip that is pulled away, to release the composition for coating on the film, by an arm initially held in an inactive position. The arm is moved to a position adapted to engage a cam formed on a spool about which the film is coiled. The cam engages the arm to detach the tear-tab and release the processing composition when the spool is rotated in a predetermined sense.

United States Patent [191 Batter, Jr. et al.

PROCESSING COMPOSITION RELEASE MECHANISM FOR FILM CASSETTE COMPRISING SELF-CONTAINED FILM PROCESSING SYSTEM Inventorsf John F. Batter, Jr., Lincoln; Paul B.

Mason, Magnolia; Joseph A. Stella, West Peabody; Paul W. Thomas, Jr., Duxbury; Joseph H. Wright, Peabody, all of Mass.

Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.

Filed: July 31, 1973 Appl. No.: 384,217

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 227,092, Feb. 17, 1972, Pat. No. 3,785,725.

Assignee:

US. Cl 352/130, 95/89 R, 352/78 Int. Cl G03c 11/00 Field of Search 352/72, 78, 130; 95/89 R,

TAKE u I 9 END 4 I Inc [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,435,718 2/1948 Land 95/1 3 2,558,858 7/1951 Land 95/13 3,623,417 1 1/1971 Eloranta 95/89 R 3,782,262 1/1974 Downey 352/130 X Primary Examiner-Richard M. Sheer Attorney, Agent, or FirmJOhn W. Ericson ABSTRACT Apparatus for controlling the release of processing composition in a film cassette comprising a roll of film and containing a film processing system. A container of film processing composition within the cassette is initially sealed by a tear strip that is pulled away, to release the composition for coating on the film, by an arm initially held in an inactive position. The arm is moved to a position adapted to engage a cam formed on a spool about which the film is coiled. The cam engages the arm to detach the tear-tab and release the processing composition when the spool is rotated in a predetermined sense.

1 Claim 68 Drawing Figures I SUPPLY 9 ,I2 5 END PAIENIEUxurszmu SELEET 01 0F 25 w; w an 3, \Q I LSE mjmiwn T :U n.

NH 4 FL E mi m mm D M &

J A n {if L PAIENIEDmnzmn Y saw on or 25 PAINTED/402271914 SHET 'as or 25 F-IG. I2

PAIENTEDAHBNIQM SEEK "05 0F 25 PATENTEU 162N974 3.832.048

sum as or 25 FIG. 23

@NQE

oom m2 2 W v Ev Q2. N2 I I! 7 saw 110F225 PATENIED nus 2 mm PAIENIEQmczmn am! u N 25 PAIENTEMmzmu sum 15 0f 25 PATimiumszmn sum '18 or 2s 

1. A photographic system comprising a film handling cassette including a housing, a strip of film stored within said housing, normally inoperative first means for applying a processing composition to an incremental section of said film strip, said first cassette means including means for releasably storing a quantity of the processing composition sufficient to treat substantially the entire length of said film strip, second means responsive to externally mounted actuating means for progressively transporting said film strip transverse said first cassette means, said second cassette means including a rotatably mounted member to which said film strip is connected, and third means for rendering said first cassette means operative whereby substantially the entire length of said film strip may be treated with the processing composition, said third cassette means including means for releasing the processing composition from said fluid storing means of said cassette responsive to a force being exerted thereon and means for coupling said composition releasing means of said cassette to said rotatably mounted member whereby said rotatably mounted member exerts force on said cassette composition releasing means, said cassette coupling means being initially disposed out of operable relationship with respect to said rotatably mounted member and said third cassette means including means responsive to externally mounted actuating means for effecting an operable relationship between said cassette coupling means and said rotatably mounted member; and, photographic apparatus including means for receiving said cassette, means for actuating said second cassette means and actuating means for effecting an operable relationship between said cassette coupling means and said rotatably mounted member. 